Our purpose built process empowers professionals from:
L-1 Visa
* Not legal advice. This guide is informed by real visa cases handled by Beyond Border’s network attorneys. If you need help understanding the visa process, we recommend talking to an immigration attorney.
No annual quota, no lottery. Unlike H-1B, you apply when the business need exists, not when a government window opens.
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L-1A: Up to 7 years. Covers managers and executives. Direct pathway to the EB-1C green card without labor certification.
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L-1B: Up to 5 years. Covers employees with specialised knowledge of the company's proprietary products, processes, or systems.
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New office pathway: A company can use the L-1 to send an executive or manager to establish a U.S. office that does not yet exist. Initial approval: 1 year. Extension requires evidence of business growth.
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Spouse work authorisation included: L-2 visa holders can work in the U.S. without a separate EAD application (since 2022 Nearman settlement).
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Dual intent: L-1 holders can pursue a U.S. green card without jeopardising their nonimmigrant status.
Qualification Requirements
Corporate structure
Qualifying relationship documentation: either an affiliate, a subsidiary or a branch office between your US and foreign entities. You will need to show ownership and capitalisation tables, and parent/subsidiary evidence.
U.S. entity setup
LLC or C Corp are both eligible entity structures. Obtain your EIN and state incorporation details via your registered agent.
Petition filing
I-129 Form and L classification supplement required. You also need a specific immigration business plan, role justification letter, financial projections for your U.S. operations, and physical office plans which cannot be a co-work space.
Post 1 year operations
L-1 Extensions evidence planning need to begin at the 6 months mark. We work with our clients to collect revenue, headcount, lease, bank statements.
1-year extension
Updated business plan, operational evidence, role evolution from 'executive' to 'genuinely executive'
EB-1C planning
Long-term green card strategy aligned with L-1A approval and U.S. business milestones
L-1 Visa Pricing
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Beyond Border service fee
US$8,000 – US$10,000 (varies by L-1A vs L-1B, new vs established office).
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USCIS filing fee
US$730 base petition fee.
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Premium processing fee
US$2,985, reduces USCIS I-129 review to 15 days.
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What's included
Corporate structure review, qualifying relationship docs, business plan (new office), role justification, petition drafting, attorney review and filing, RFE support
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Money-back Guarantee
Spouse work authorisation included: L-2 visa holders can work in the U.S. without a separate EAD application (since 2022 Nearman settlement).
Move with Confidence
More than 90% of our clients run a cross border business with a U.S. entity with team mobility needs.
The L-1 is a U.S. nonimmigrant visa for intracompany transferees, employees of a multinational company who transfer from an overseas office to a related U.S. entity. There are two subtypes: L-1A for managers and executives (up to 7 years), and L-1B for employees with specialised knowledge of the company's products, processes, or systems (up to 5 years).
What is the difference between L-1A and L-1B?
The L-1A is for managers and executives. It carries a maximum 7-year stay and a direct pathway to the EB-1C green card without labor certification. The L-1B is for employees with specialised knowledge of the company's proprietary products, systems, or processes. It allows a maximum 5-year stay and typically requires PERM labor certification for a green card.
Do I need an L-1 visa attorney or consultant?
USCIS does not legally require an attorney for L-1 petitions, but the visa demands detailed evidence of a qualifying corporate relationship, the employee's role, and the legitimacy of the U.S. entity all areas where errors trigger Requests for Evidence. USCIS has increased scrutiny on L-1 petitions, particularly for smaller and newer companies, making professional preparation significantly more important.
What does an L-1 visa consultant do?
An L-1 visa consultant handles strategy, evidence preparation, corporate relationship documentation, and the petition narrative, including organisational charts, business plans for new U.S. offices, and role justification letters. At Beyond Border, consultants work alongside a licensed immigration attorney who reviews, signs, and files the I-129 petition with USCIS.
What is the qualifying relationship requirement for an L-1 visa?
The U.S. company and the overseas employer must share a qualifying relationship: parent company, subsidiary, affiliate, or branch. Common ownership or control must exist between the entities. The petitioner must demonstrate this relationship with corporate documents, ownership records, and organisational charts. This is one of the most common grounds for L-1 RFEs.
What is a new office L-1 visa?
A new office L-1 allows a multinational company to transfer a manager or executive to establish a U.S. office that does not yet exist. Initial approval is limited to one year. The extension requires evidence that the U.S. business has grown sufficiently to support a genuine managerial or executive role. Beyond Border specialises in building business plans and evidence packages for new office petitions.
How long does the L-1 visa process take?
Beyond Border completes petition drafting and submission within one month of receiving all supporting documents. USCIS standard processing typically takes two to four months. Premium processing (an additional $2,985 USCIS fee) reduces the USCIS review to 15 business days. New office petitions receive a one-year initial approval; established office petitions receive up to three years.
Get L-1 visa clarity from our vetted U.S. immigration attorneys
Pick a time that works for you. 30 minutes with one of our immigration advisor. Confidential and straightforward.
Our purpose built process empowers professionals from:
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